When he was six years old, Dean and his parents Winton Dean and Mildred Wilson moved to Santa Monica, California.

When Dean was nine, his mother died of uterine cancer and, unable to care for him, his father sent him to live with his aunt and uncle on their farm back in Indiana.

Dean performed well in school and participated in multiple sports and activities, including drama and public speaking. By all accounts he was popular, diligent, and studious, a far cry from the brooding, outcast persona for which he would later become famous.

After graduating, he moved back to California and attended Santa Monica College and UCLA before dropping out to pursue acting full-time.

In 1950, at age 19, he landed his first onscreen role in a commercial for Pepsi.

1931

Image: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

c. 1933

Image: Corbis

To my way of thinking, an actor's course is set even before he's out of the cradle.

James Dean

c. 1933

Image: John Springer Collection/CORBIS

c. 1936

Image: John Springer Collection/CORBIS

c. 1938

Image: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

c. 1943

Dean plays on his aunt and uncle's farm in Fairmount, Indiana.

Image: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

c. 1944

Dean sits in a wagon pulled by his younger cousin on his aunt and uncle's farm in Fairmount, Indiana.

Image: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

Studying cows, pigs and chickens can help an actor develop his character. There are a lot of things I learned from animals. One was that they couldn't hiss or boo me.

James Dean

c. 1944

Dean poses for the camera with his younger cousin on his aunt and uncle's farm in Fairmount, Indiana.